Are Snapchat’s Filters Making Everyone Look Whiter?

Snapchat’s selfie filters are not known for being especially culturally sensitive. Take last month’s Bob Marley lens, which basically amounted to “digital blackface.” Now users say Snapchat’s “beauty” filters are beautifying them by making their skin look lighter.

Some argue that filters such as the flower-crown filter make everything in the snap appear whiter — not just the face. But isn’t that the age-old justification for white-washing photos? The flash — it’s just so bright!